Hyundai sells the Santa Fe Hybrid in three trims: Blue, SEL Premium, and Limited. All versions are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a 44.2 kW electric motor. The combined output for the hybrid system is 226 horsepower; the gas engine and electric motor each produce 178 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel drive, managed by a six-speed automatic transmission, is standard across the trim lineup.
When it’s fully loaded with five passengers, the Santa Fe Hybrid can also handle 36.4 cubic feet of cargo (or 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat down); it can also tow as much as 2,000 pounds. This gas-electric hybrid’s EPA-estimated fuel economy is 36 mpg around town and 31 mpg on the open road for the Blue trim, which changes to 33 city/30 highway for the SEL Premium and Limited.
For being the starter trim, the Santa Fe Hybrid Blue is packed with quite a few premium features, like a hands-free power liftgate, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an eight-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar controls. Hyundai also stocks the Blue with proximity keyless entry, push-button start, LED exterior lighting with automatic headlights, rear side-window sunshades, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, sound-reducing front-side window glass, roof side rails, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-release folding second-row seats, fabric upholstery, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
At the middle of the range sits the SEL Premium, which adds a power panoramic sunroof, an eight-way power front passenger seat, H-Tex seating surfaces, LED cabin lighting, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The Limited includes everything from the SEL Premium, plus leather-trimmed seating, ventilated front seats, a driver’s memory system, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, additional driver’s seat features (four-way power lumbar controls and a leg cushion extension), projector-style LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Every Santa Fe Hybrid is equipped with SmartSense, Hyundai’s group of advanced driver aids. This technology includes forward collision-avoidance assist (with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection), lane keeping assist, lane following assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, highway driving assist (helps with lane centering), rear occupant alert, adaptive cruise control, and safe exit assist. Adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams make the list of standard features as well.
The SEL Premium and Limited get a blind-spot view monitor (which is displayed in the instrument cluster) and a surround-view monitor. The Limited is loaded, adding front and rear parking sensors, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
All Santa Fe Hybrid trims are equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and navigation. The other infotainment technology includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice recognition, wireless device charging, and access to Hyundai Bluelink connected services. The Blue has the base audio system, while the higher trims get a 12-speaker Harman Kardon unit.
